Update to our previous article (reposted below):
Cablevision and ABC have come to a deal, 45 minutes after the start of the Oscars. More word on the agreement when it is finalized.
Original article:
Disney has blacked out the broadcast channel ABC for Cablevision’s 3 million subscribers, the day of the highly-anticipated Academy Awards.
Cablevision says it’s willing to restart negotiations with Disney, along with a third-party arbitrator, to end the spat over transmission fees.
The cable company has a decent monopoly over the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and parts of NJ and Connecticut.
“Given the extraordinary public interest in this matter, Senator (John) Kerry and other public officials have suggested that arbitration is appropriate in this highly unusual situation,” added Charles Schueler, Cablevision’s executive vice president of communications. “Cablevision will agree to binding arbitration and calls upon Disney CEO Bob Iger to immediately return ABC to New YOrk area viewers and join us in binding arbitration to resolve this matter fairly.”
ABC says they have put forward a counter-offer this afternoon.
Result for: million subscribers
Netflix has reported its highest number of new customers in a single quarter in the company’s history, adding more than 1.1 million new subscribers in the fourth-quarter. It took four years to hit 1 million subscribers after Netflix launched in 1999. Investors applauded as the company revealed its results for the quarter, including a 36 percent rise in the Q4 profits for the rental-by-mail service.
Netflix now has more than 12 million subscribers, with a boost in new subscribers in response to new plans that bundle the rental-by-mail service with unlimited video streaming over the Internet, for prices as low as $9 per month. The good news didn’t stop there for investors either; Netflix management expects Q1 2010 to be even more successful, projecting between 1.2 and 1.5 million new subscribers by the end of March.
Fourth-quarter revenue climbed 24 percent to $444.5 million, missing analyst expectations by $1 million. The shortfall however was overshadowed by pledges from management to boost profit margins to 11 percent from its previous 10 percent target.
Netflix got a big boost in the fourth quarter when services available through the PlayStation 3 (PS3), while already being available through Xbox 360 and it is reportedly heading for the Wii console.
Result for: million subscribers
AT&T has announced it will soon begin selling Android and Palm smartphones in the U.S., a smart hedge for when the iPhone goes off exclusivity in the 6 months.
The company is the second largest carrier behind Verizon with 82 million subscribers, but most of its growth has been attributed to new subscribers flocking to the iPhone.
AT&T will have five Android phones, developed by Motorola, HTC, and Dell. The Dell Mini3, released so far only in China and Brazil, will be exclusive to AT&T, although it is unclear for how long.
Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega also noted that they would begin selling two Palm devices, although it is unclear whether they will be the Pre and Pixi or new phones not yet unveiled that will run on GSM and not CDMA.
